December 2009 AGM
In This Issue
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President's ReportThe A.G.M. is going to be held at 12 noon on December 6, 2009 at the Club. Please try to attend.
Having been on the
Board for four years I would like to step back in time and take stock of our achievements.
Four years ago we were
faced with a very uncertain financial position to the point that the survival of
the Club was in question. With the help of a strong board, our lessor and the membership,
we have reversed that trend: a stable membership, a dedicated staff both in the Club
House and on the greens as well as re-organized administration.
Membership
Over the last ten
years Gabriola has gone through drastic changes in demography as well as most
of the Gulf Islands according to a recent demographic study that was
commissioned by BC Ferries. The rapid increase in real estate prices and the
administration of our health issues were responsible for most of those changes.
Many of our members sold out and moved away to take advantage of these high
prices and/or to get closer to medical facilities.
The situation has more
or less stabilized and we are seeing a healthy change in our membership trend. This is good for the future of our Club. We
have been experiencing an increase in younger people: juniors, young adults,
young families and younger retirees. We would be correct to say that the baby
boom’s bubble has reached Gabriola.
Staff
Our long time green’s
superintendent, Craig Robertson, decided to ease into retirement and was
replaced by Michael Stewart. Craig is still with us on a part time basis mostly
related to machinery matters. We are lucky to have these two individuals on our
staff and the quality of the course is proof of their achievements.
We have a new club
house manager as of July of this year and again we have been lucky to find
Joyanne Bakke as a replacement for Sarah Kostiw who had to leave us for health
reasons. Joyanne is a long time resident of the Island with extensive
experience in the food business which should bring in many innovations in that
area. We miss Kim behind the counter and hope that her health problems will
soon be over so that we can enjoy her presence both on and off the course. Other members of our club house staff have
been excellent as well as Bev Bickerton who filled in the void when the
manager’s position was in transition and Ev Simpson who, as an employee/member,
rose beyond the call of duty when the Club was in need.
Administration
My commitment four
years ago was to adopt a budgetary system that would control our expenses
related to our revenues. The tools needed were a Point of Sale system and in-house
book keeping so that the two would work together to keep a close watch on our
projects and ongoing expenses. Even today it is not a perfect system but it has
brought us a long way towards a healthier financial situation.
If one looked at the
budget that was prepared just over a year ago to the financial results that are included in this package you will be
surprised to see how close we can predict the financial outcome of our
operation. It is a direct reflection of the above mentioned changes.
We also have acquired
a web site with a private membership section as well as an e-mail system that
allows us to reach the membership at a fraction of the cost of the standard
mail method. The web site is also the
modern tool to reach most of our possible customers and a cheap promotional
asset. We also joined other Gulf Islands golf courses on a cooperative regional
and provincial advertising program that gave us a wide exposure to our market.
Conclusion
All these efforts have
resulted in a vastly improved financial position, a younger membership poised
for growth and an improved course.
Having painted this rosie picture I must also caution the membership that we
have just come out of a hole and without proper financial vigilance and caution
from our board we could easily fall back in.
The decision making
process must not only include the clear cut financial numbers but the fragile
relation of dealing with the public which is the source of our revenues and our
members who are the pool of volunteers whose dedication is the base of our
operation and success.
Andre Lemieux
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Membership Annual Dues |
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Proposed Dues for 2010 |
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09 Dues |
Adjusted |
Proposed |
Adjusted |
|
| Res. Single | 710.00 |
710.00 |
725.00 |
725.00 |
| Res. Couple | 625.00 |
1250.00 |
650.00 |
1300.00/cpl |
| Res. Family | 665.00 |
1330.00 |
692.50 |
1385.00/fmly |
| Non-res sngl | 600.00 |
600.00 |
615.00 |
615.00 |
| Non-res copl | 545.00 |
1090.00 |
567.50 |
1135.00/cpl |
| Non-res fam | 575.00 |
1150.00 |
600.00 |
1200.00/fmly |
| Corporate | 850.00 |
850.00 |
885.00 |
885.00 |
| Junior | 100.00 |
100.00 |
100.00 |
100.00 |
| Social | 95.00 |
95.00 |
95.00 |
95.00 |
| Associate | 55.00 |
55.00 |
55.00 |
55.00 |
Proxy
form: Please note that
in order for your proxy to be valid the proxy form must be completed and returned
to me one week before the date of the meeting, that is Monday,November 30, 2009. My fax number is (250) 247-9841, e-mail attachment
is secretary@gabriolagolf.com,
mail to Secretary, Gabriola Golf and Country Club, Box 239, Gabriola, B.C.
V0R1X0, or deliver to the Golf Club to my attention.
We
wish to waive reading of the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting December 14, 2008
. They will be posted on the Bulletin Board at the Club. If you wish to receive copies for your perusal contact me at 250-247-0155
or e-mail address as above.
Acting Secretary.
PROXY
If you cannot attend the Annual General Meeting December 6, 2009 but
would like to have a proxy vote entered, please complete this Proxy Form and
return it by
I, _________________________________________ a voting member in good
standing of the Gabriola Golf and Country Club, will be unable to attend the
Annual General Meeting December 6, 2009.
I hereby appoint ______________________________________, who is also a
member in good standing, as my proxy member and authorize him/her to vote on my
behalf.
Signature_______________________________________ Date______________________________
PROXY
If you cannot attend the Annual General Meeting December 6, 2009 but
would like to have a proxy vote entered, please complete this Proxy Form and
return it by
I, _________________________________________ a voting member in good
standing of the Gabriola Golf and Country Club, will be unable to attend the
Annual General Meeting December 6, 2009.
I hereby appoint _____________________________________, who is also a member
in good standing,
as my
proxy member and authorize him/her to vote on my behalf.
Signature______________________________________ Date ______________________________